DPP withdraw charges challenging Kyagulanyi’s Makerere admission

By Rachael Najjuma

10^th Jan 2022

The Director of Public Prosecutions-DPP Jane Frances Abodo has withdrawn charges of obtaining registration by false pretense against the National Unity Platform Party Principle Robert Kyagulanyi Ssentamu.

In 2021, lawyer Male Mabirizi accused Kyagulanyi of having been admitted at Makerere University to pursue a Diploma in Music, Dance, and Drama on mature-age entry when he reportedly did not meet the criteria.

The case was later taken over by the DPP on October 7 2021 following the evidence that was produced by Mabirizi.

Mabirizi had indicated that Kyagulanyi was only 20 years old by the time of his admission on October 21 2000 which was contrary to the Makerere University Prospectus.

The prospectus set the minimum age for mature entry at 25 years or for one to have completed formal education at least five years prior to the year of admission.

But Mabirizi said this was not the case with Kyagulanyi adding that there was proof that Kyagulanyi was born on February 12 1980 and studied at Kololo Senior Secondary School and Kitante Hill School based on the records that he had personally used to obtain the contentious registration and admission at Makerere University.

It was on this evidence that he asked court to summon Kyagulanyi to appear and answer charges saying that he had fraudulently studied on government sponsorship and accordingly obtained registration by false pretense, an offense that attracts a one-year jail term if found guilty.

However, when the matter came up for mention today before Grade One Magistrate Marion Ninsiima, State Attorney Joy Apolot tendered a withdrawal from dated December 16, 2021, and signed by Abodo withdrawing charges against Kyagulanyi without any reason given.